ALPROLIX 2000 IU POWDER AND SOLVENT FOR SOLUTION FOR INJECTION - patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

Package leaflet: Information for the user

ALPROLIX ® 250 IU powder and solvent for solution for injection

ALPROLIX ® 500 IU powder and solvent for solution for injection

ALPROLIX ® 1000 IU powder and solvent for solution for injection

ALPROLIX ® 2000 IU powder and solvent for solution for injection

ALPROLIX ® 3000 IU powder and solvent for solution for injection

eftrenonacog alfa recombinant coagulation factor IX, Fc fusion protein

This medicine is subject to additional monitoring. This will allow quick identification of new safety information. You can help by reporting any side effects you may get. See the end of section 4 for how to report side effects.

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine because it contains important information for you.

• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

• 1. What ALPROLIX is and what it is used for

• 2. What you need to know before you use ALPROLIX

• 3. How to use ALPROLIX

• 4. Possible side effects

• 5. How to store ALPROLIX

• 6. Contents of the pack and other information

• 7. Instructions for preparation and administration

1. what alprolix is and what it is used for

ALPROLIX contains the active substance eftrenonacog alfa, recombinant coagulation factor IX, Fc fusion protein. Factor IX is a protein produced naturally in the body necessary for the blood to form clots and stop bleeding.

ALPROLIX is a medicine used for the treatment and prevention of bleeding in all age groups of patients with haemophilia B (inherited bleeding disorder caused by factor IX deficiency).

ALPROLIX is prepared by recombinant technology without addition of any human- or animal-derived components in the manufacturing process.

How ALPROLIX works

In patients with haemophilia B, factor IX is missing or not working properly. ALPROLIX is used to replace the missing or deficient factor IX. ALPROLIX increases factor IX level in the blood and temporarily corrects the bleeding tendency. The Fc fusion protein in ALPROLIX increases the length of time that the medicine works.

2. what you need to know before you use alprolix

Do not use ALPROLIX:

• if you are allergic to eftrenonacog alfa or any other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before using ALPROLIX.

• There is a small chance that you may experience an anaphylactic reaction (a severe, sudden allergic reaction) to ALPROLIX. Signs of allergic reactions may include, generalised itching, hives, tightness of the chest, difficulty breathing and low blood pressure. If any of these symptoms occur, stop the injection immediately and contact your doctor.
• Talk to your doctor if you think that your bleeding is not being controlled with the dose you receive, as there can be several reasons for this. For example, the formation of antibodies (also known as inhibitors) to factor IX is a known complication that can occur during the treatment of haemophilia B. The antibodies prevent the treatment from working properly. This would be checked by your doctor. Do not increase the total dose of ALPROLIX to control your bleed without talking to your doctor.

Patients with a factor IX inhibitor may be at an increased risk of anaphylaxis during future treatment with factor IX. Therefore, if you experience allergic reactions such as those described above, you should be tested for the presence of an inhibitor.

Factor IX products may increase the risk of unwanted blood clots in your body, especially if you have risk factors for developing blood clots. Symptoms of a possible unwanted blood clot may include: pain and/or tenderness along a vein, unexpected swelling of an arm or leg or sudden shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.

Catheter-related complications

If you require a central venous access device (CVAD), risk of CVAD-related complications including local infections, presence of bacteria in the blood and catheter -site blood clots should be considered.

Documentation

It is strongly recommended that every time ALPROLIX is given, the name and batch number of the product are recorded.

Other medicines and ALPROLIX

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using, have recently used or might use any other medicines.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Driving and using machines

ALPROLIX has no influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

ALPROLIX contains sodium

This medicine contains 6.4 mg sodium per vial after preparation. Talk to your doctor if you are on a controlled sodium diet.

3. how to use alprolix

Treatment with ALPROLIX will be started by a doctor who is experienced in the care of patients with haemophilia. Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you (see section 7). Check with your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are not sure.

ALPROLIX is given as an injection into a vein. You or somebody else may administer ALPROLIX after receiving adequate training. Your doctor will decide the dose of ALPROLIX (in International Units or “IU”) you will receive. The dose will depend on your individual needs for replacement factor IX therapy and on whether it is used for prevention or treatment of bleeding. Talk to your doctor if you think that your bleeding is not being controlled with the dose you receive.

How often you need an injection will depend on how well ALPROLIX is working for you. Your doctor will perform appropriate laboratory tests to make sure that you have adequate factor IX levels in your blood.

Treatment of bleeding

The dose of ALPROLIX is calculated depending on your body weight and the factor IX levels to be achieved. The target factor IX levels will depend on the severity and location of the bleeding.

Prevention of bleeding

If you are using ALPROLIX to prevent bleeding, your doctor will calculate the dose for you.

• The usual dose of ALPROLIX is 50 IU per kg of body weight, given once a week or 100 IU per kg of body weight, given once every 10 days. The dose or interval may be adjusted by your doctor. In some cases, especially in younger patients, shorter dosing intervals or higher doses may be necessary.

Use in children and adolescents

ALPROLIX can be used in children and adolescents of all ages. In children below the age of 12 years, higher doses or more frequent injections may be needed and the usual dose is 50 to 60 IU per kg of body weight, given once every 7 days.

If you use more ALPROLIX than you should

Tell your doctor as soon as possible. You should always use ALPROLIX exactly as your doctor has told you, check with your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are not sure.

If you forget to use ALPROLIX

Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. Take your dose as soon as you remember and then resume your normal dosing schedule. If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.

If you stop using ALPROLIX

Do not stop using ALPROLIX without consulting your doctor. If you stop using ALPROLIX you may no longer be protected against bleeding or a current bleed may not stop.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.

4. possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

If severe, sudden allergic reactions (anaphylactic reaction) occur, the injection must be stopped immediately. You must contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms of allergic reactions: swelling of the face, rash, generalised itching, hives, tightness of the chest, difficulty breathing, burning and stinging at the injection site, chills, flushing, headache, general feeling of being unwell, nausea, restlessness, fast heartbeat, and low blood pressure.

The following side effects may occur with this medicine.

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people): headache, mouth numbness or tingling, pain in your side with blood in your urine (obstructive uropathy).

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people): dizziness, taste alteration, bad breath, feeling tired, pain at the injection site, rapid heartbeat, blood in the urine (haematuria), pain in your side (renal colic), low blood pressure, and decreased appetite.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via:

United Kingdom

Yellow Card Scheme, Website:

Ireland

HPRA Pharmacovigilance, Earlsfort Terrace, IRL – Dublin 2

Tel: +353 1 6764971 Fax: +353 1 6762517

Website: e-mail:

Malta

ADR Reporting, Website:

By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. how to store alprolix

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Store in a refrigerator (2°C – 8°C). Do not freeze. Store in the original pack in order to protect from light.

Alternatively, ALPROLIX may be stored at room temperature (up to 30°C) for a single period not exceeding 6 months. Please record on the carton the date that ALPROLIX is removed from the refrigerator and set at room temperature. After storage at room temperature, the product must not be put back in the refrigerator.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and the vial label after “EXP”. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Do not use this medicine if it has been stored at room temperature for longer than 6 months.

Once you have prepared ALPROLIX it should be used right away. If you cannot use the prepared ALPROLIX solution immediately, it should be used within 6 hours when stored at room temperature. Do not refrigerate the solution after preparation. Protect the solution from direct sunlight.

The prepared solution will be clear to sligthly opalescent and colourless. Do not use this medicine if you notice that it is cloudy or contains visible particles.

This product is for single use only.

Discard any unused solution appropriately. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

6. contents of the pack and other information

What ALPROLIX contains

Powder:

• The active substance is eftrenonacog alfa (recombinant coagulation factor IX, Fc fusion protein). Each vial of ALPROLIX contains nominally 250, 500, 1000, 2000 or 3000 IU eftrenonacog alfa.
• The other ingredients are sucrose, L-Histidine, mannitol, polysorbate 20, sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid. If you are on a controlled sodium diet, see section 2.

Solvent:

5 mL sodium chloride and water for injections.

What ALPROLIX looks like and contents of the pack

ALPROLIX is provided as a powder and solvent for solution for injection.

The powder is a white to off-white powder or cake. The solvent provided for preparation of the solution to inject, is a clear, colourless solution. After preparation, the solution to inject is clear to slightly opalescent and colourless.

Each pack of ALPROLIX contains 1 powder vial, 5 mL solvent in pre-filled syringe, 1plunger rod, 1vial adapter, 1 infusion set, 2 alcohol swabs, 2 plasters and 1 gauze pad

Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer

Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB (publ)

SE-112 76 Stockholm

Sweden

For any information about this medicine, please contact the local representative of the Marketing Authorisation Holder:

Ireland

Swedish Orphan Biovitrum Ltd

Tel: +44 1223 891854 e-mail:

United Kingdom

Swedish Orphan Biovitrum Ltd

Tel: +44 1223 891854 e-mail:

This leaflet was last revised in

Detailed information on this medicine is available on the European Medicines Agency web site:. There are also links to other websites about rare diseases and treatments.

Please turn the leaflet over for section 7. Instructions for preparation and administration.

• 7. Instructions for preparation and administration

The procedure below describes the preparation and administration of ALPROLIX.

ALPROLIX is administered by intravenous (IV) injection after dissolving the powder for injection with the solvent supplied in the pre-filled syringe.

ALPROLIX pack contains:

• A) 1 Powder vial

• B) 5 mL Solvent in pre-filled syringe

• C) 1 Plunger rod

• D) 1 Vial adapter

  • E) 1 Infusion set

  • F) 2 Alcohol swabs

  • G) 2 Plasters

  • H) 1 Gauze pad

ALPROLIX should not be mixed with other solutions for injection or infusion.

Wash your hands before opening the pack.

Preparation:

• 1. Check the name and strength of the package, to make sure it contains the correct medicine. Check the expiry date on the ALPROLIX carton. Do not use if the product has expired.

• 2. If ALPROLIX has been stored in a refrigerator, allow the vial of

ALPROLIX (A) and the syringe with solvent (B) to reach room temperature before use. Do not use external heat.

• 3. Place the vial on a clean flat surface. Remove the plastic flip-top cap from the ALPROLIX vial.

• 4. Wipe the top of the vial with one of the alcohol swabs (F) provided in the pack, and allow to air dry. Do not touch the top of the vial or allow it to touch anything else once wiped.

  
  
  
  
  
  

• 5. Peel back the protective paper lid from the clear plastic vial adapter (D). Do not remove the adapter from its protective cap. Do not touch the inside of the vial adapter package.

  12.

  
  

With the syringe still connected to the adapter and the plunger rod pressed down, gently swirl the vial until the powder is dissolved.

Do not shake.

• 13. The final solution must be inspected visually before administration. The solution should appear clear to slightly opalescent and colourless. Do not use the solution if cloudy or contains visible particles.

Administration (Intravenous Injection):

ALPROLIX should be administered using the infusion set (E) provided in this pack.

1. Open the infusion set package and remove the cap at the end of the tubing. Attach the syringe with the prepared ALPROLIX solution to the end of the infusion set tubing by turning clockwise.

• 14. Ensuring that the syringe plunger rod is still fully pressed down, invert the vial. Slowly pull on the plunger rod to draw back all the solution through the vial adapter into the syringe.

  
  

  2. If needed apply a tourniquet and prepare the injection site by wiping the skin well with the other alcohol swab provided in the pack.

  
  
  
  

• 15. Detach the syringe from the vial adapter by gently pulling and turning the vial counterclockwise.

  
  

Note: If you use more than one vial of ALPROLIX per injection, each vial should be prepared separately as per the previous instructions (steps 1 to 13) and the solvent syringe should be removed, leaving the vial adapter in place. A single large luer lock syringe may be used to draw back the prepared contents of each of the individual vials.

• 3. Remove any air in the infusion set tubing by slowly depressing on the plunger rod until liquid has reached the infusion set needle. Do not push the solution through the needle. Remove the clear plastic protective cover from the needle.

• 4. Insert the infusion set needle into a vein as instructed by your doctor or nurse and remove the tourniquet. If preferred, you may use one of the plasters (G) provided in the pack to hold the plastic wings of the needle in place at the injection site. The prepared product should be injected intravenously over several minutes. Your doctor may change your recommended injection rate to make it more comfortable for you.